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Some literatures have reported neural precursor cells (NPCs) exist in spinal cord of adult mammal, however, the NPCs distribution feature in spinal cord of adult mice so far is not described in detail. In order to observe and compare the distribution feature of NPCs in various spinal cord regions of adult mice, to research a potential source of neural stem cells (NSCs), we obtained NPCs distribution feature by analyzing the distribution of the nestin-containing cells (NCCs) in spinal cord of adult nestin second-intron enhancer controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice (pNes-Tg) with LacZ staining and positive cell quantification. The results showed that: NCCs were observed in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice, but amount of NCCs was different in distinct region, the rank order of NCCs amount in various spinal cord regions was dorsal horn region greater than central canal greater than the ventral and lateral horn. NCCs in dorsal horn region mainly distributed in substantia gelatinosa, NCCs in central canal mainly distributed in ependymal zone, on the contrary, NCCs in ventral, lateral horn, medullae, nucleus regions of spinal cord were comparatively less. The rank order of NCCs amount in various spinal cord segments was cervical segment greater than lumbar sacral segment greater than thoracic segment. There was no significantly difference between NCCs amount in the left and right sides, and within cervical 1-7, thoracic 1-12, lumbar 1-5, sacral segment of spinal cord in adult mice. These data collectively indicate that NPCs extensively distribute in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice, especially in substantia gelatinosa and ependymal zone. NPCs in cervical segment are abundant, NPCs in thoracic segment are the least while compared the different spinal cord segment, the NPCs in various regions of spinal cord of adult mice are a potential source of NSCs.

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The distribution of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in adult mice brain has so far not been described. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of NPCs by analyzing the nestin-containing cells (NCCs) in distinct brain regions of adult nestin second-intron enhancer-controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice through LacZ staining. Results showed that NCCs existed in various regions of adult mouse brain. In cerebellum, the greatest number of NCCs existed in cortex of the simple lobule, followed by cortex of the cerebellar lobule. In olfactory bulb, NCCs were most numerous in the granular cell layer, followed by the mitral cell layer and the internal plexiform, glomerular, and external plexiform layers. In brain nuclei (nu), NCCs were most numerous in the marginal nu, followed by the brainstem and diencephalon nu. NCCs in sensory nu of brainstem were more numerous than in motor nu, and NCCs in the dorsal of sensory nu were more numerous than in the ventral part. In brain ventricle systems, NCCs were largely distributed in the center of and external to the lateral ventricle, the inferior part of the third ventricle, the dorsal and inferior parts of the fourth ventricle, and the gray matter around the cerebral aqueduct. NCCs in the left vs. right brain were not significantly different. These data collectively indicate that NCCs were extensively distributed in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb, the partial nu of the marginal system, the partial brain nu adjacent to brain ventricle systems, the subependymal zone, and the cerebral cortex around the marginal lobe and were a potential source of NPCs.